SLAC Today is available online at:
http://today.slac.stanford.edu
In this issue:
From the Director: Celebrating Jonathan
It's Time to Register for the 2008 SLAC Summer Institute
Word of the Week: Diffraction Limit
Building the LCLS: Weekly Update

SLAC Today

Friday - July 18, 2008

From the Director: Celebrating Jonathan

(Photo - Persis Drell)

Next Thursday, we will have a wonderful celebration at the laboratory. Many old friends will be coming to honor Jonathan Dorfan, SLAC's third laboratory Director. There will be a full day of talks and festivities, with a special celebration for all SLAC staff in the afternoon with cake and ice cream.

This is an opportunity to thank Jonathan for his 8 years of leadership and dedicated service to the laboratory and to science. Under Jonathan's scientific leadership, SLAC built and then delivered fantastic science from the B-factory and SPEAR-3. Under Jonathan's visionary leadership, SLAC has become a leader in new fields of particle astrophysics and ultrafast science. Under Jonathan's stewardship, the Kavli institute was founded, we built the Stanford Guest House, the Gamma-ray Large Area Telescope was built, and the Linac Coherent Light Source project was launched. With Jonathan's moral guidance, the laboratory achieved its scientific mission with a respectful workplace where each individual is valued.

I encourage staff to join the festivities next Thursday at 2:45 p.m. on the green. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what Jonathan did for the laboratory in his 8 years as Director of SLAC.

It's Time to Register
for the 2008
SLAC Summer Institute


The 2007 SSI attendees.
(Click on image for larger version.)

This August, physicists from around the world will explore the awesome power of Cosmic Accelerators at the 36th annual SLAC Summer Institute. The conference, which runs from August 4th to the 15th, will cover natural particle accelerators such as black holes, neutron stars and various explosive phenomena. Morning lectures will focus on these stellar accelerators and the high energy particles they create. In the afternoon, participants can enjoy short topical lectures and a wide variety of social events, including poster sessions, catered dinners and the traditional, always-popular SSI vs. SLAC soccer game.

Register online by July 31st to take advantage of discounted early registration fees. The website also has a full conference schedule, guidelines for travel and advice for finding local accommodations.

Word of the Week:
Diffraction Limit

The highest image resolution possible using familiar optical systems—such as telescopes, cameras and microscopes—emerges from several factors, including internal alignment and lens quality, but most importantly to the wavelength of light. The fundamental maximum resolution, or diffraction limit, that an optical system can produce relates to the ratio between the wavelength of light and the size of the object being imaged. This principle also applies to systems such as synchrotron storage rings that create X-rays, also a form of light. In general, the wavelength of X-rays used to image an object must be smaller than the object being imaged.

 

Building the LCLS: Weekly Update

Construction highlights for the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) this week include:

• Preparation for the completion of construction and occupancy of the Beam Transport Hall and Undulator Hall.

• Completion of piping insulation in the Central Utilities Plant, continued preparation for energizing systems.

• Installation of cable trays and electrical switchgear in the Front End Enclosure.

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